How to use a brad point bit?

28th February 2020


	How to use a brad point bit


	Shop for Brad Point Bits


			Brad point bits are easy to use. Attention to a few details during set up can guarantee that you will complete your project quickly and with neat results.

			Preventing tear out If you are intending to drill a hole all the way through a piece of wood then you will need to take precautions to make sure the brad point bit does not tear the surface of the wood when it breaks through the bottom of the hole.

			You can do this by putting your workpiece on top of a scrap of wood. This will support the wood fibres in your workpiece and stop them from tearing. It’s usually a good idea to use a different type of wood to the one you’re using for your project. You will then be able to tell when you’ve drilled right through your workpiece because different coloured shavings will come out of the borehole. You might also feel the difference.

			Alternatively, if you are using a hand-held drill, you can drill until the brad point just breaks through the surface on the reverse side of the workpiece, then remove the drill bit from the borehole. The hole from the brad point will provide a guide reference to help you locate the centre of the borehole on the reverse side of the wood.

			Flip the workpiece over and complete the borehole using the resulting mark as a guide. This will guarantee tear-free results.

			Using a brad point bit
			Step 1 – Select bit size Brad point bits are usually used for projects that require precision, so make sure the bit you choose matches the size of the dowels or screws you will be using. For more information, see: How to drill a hole for a dowel with a brad bit point and How to pre-drill screw and nail holes with a brad point bit

			Step 2 – Select driver Brad point bits work best when used in a drill press, as you can clamp your workpiece on the drill press table and guarantee that you’re drilling at the angle you want.

			They can be used with hand-held drill drivers, although it’s always best to use a jig (template) with bushings. Bushings are metal tubes with holes the same size as your bit to hold it at a set angle to your workpiece, usually right angles. This keeps the drill straight.

			Step 3 – Select speed Running your brad point bit too fast can generate a lot of heat and cause the borehole to become charred or your bit to lose temper. The chart below provides recommended drill press speeds for different sizes of bit in both hardwood and softwood.

BIT DIAMETER (mm/inches)	3mm (1/8“)	5mm (3/16“)	7mm (1/4“)	8mm (5/16“)	9mm (3/8“)	11mm (7/16“)	12mm (1/2“)	16mm (5/8“)	19mm (3/4“)	22mm (7/8“)	25mm (1″)

HARDWOOD SPEED (rpm)	1000	950	900	800	750	700	600	400	350	300	250

SOFTWOOD SPEED (rpm)	1700	1650	1600	1550	1500	1450	1400	1300	1200	1100	1000


			If you are using a power drill, set it to a slow setting for hardwood drilling, and a quicker setting for softwood drilling. For more information on setting speed, see: Cordless Drill Drivers

			Hardwoods need a slower drilling speed because they are more resistant to being drilled. This helps to avoid a build-up of heat through friction.

			Softwoods are less resistant to being drilled and will therefore allow a slightly quicker drilling speed.

			Step 4 – Check alignment Make sure you have marked the location of the centre of your hole on your workpiece. Line the tip of your brad point up with it. Position your drill bit so that the brad point is in contact with the wood at this location.

			Step 5 – Start drilling Activate your drill press or power drill and apply gentle pressure as the hole is bored. Drill your hole following the guidelines on preventing tear out listed above.

			If you’re only planning on drilling a partial hole, see How to drill a hole for a dowel with a brad bit point, replacing the dowel in the guide with the object that you will be inserting into the hole (which may be a drill bit if you’re creating storage, or a pencil if you’re making a wooden desk tidy, for example). If you’re pre-drilling a hole for a nail or a screw, see: How to pre-drill screw and nail holes with a brad point bit

			Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this can cause the bit to clog or damage your workpiece by increasing friction from the drill bit. If you’re unsure of how much pressure is too much, you can always practise on a scrap piece of the same material.